Question

The case of Lochner v. New York represented a setback for progressives and labor advocates because in its ruling, the Supreme Court

a. declared a law limiting work to ten hours a day unconstitutional.
b. declared unconstitutional a law providing special protection for women workers.
c. declared that prohibiting child labor would require a constitutional amendment.
d. upheld the constitutionality of a law enabling business to fire labor organizers.
e. ruled that fire and safety regulations were local and not state or federal concerns.

Answer 1

The Lochner v. New York case was a setback for labor rights as the Supreme Court ruled a law limiting a ten-hour workday unconstitutional, emphasizing 'liberty of contract' and due process rights against restrictive state labor regulations.

Step-by-step explanation:

Lochner v. New York Ruling

The case of Lochner v. New York was a setback for progressives and labor advocates because in its ruling, the Supreme Court declared a law limiting work to ten hours a day unconstitutional. This 1905 decision asserted that the law violated the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and the concept of liberty of contract, which allowed laborers and management to make agreements without state interference. The Lochner decision had far-reaching effects, as it undermined many efforts for governmental regulation of private sector conditions such as work hours and pay, leading to a reliance on labor strikes for worker rights advancements.

This case highlighted the tension between labor rights and the doctrine of laissez-faire economics during the early 20th century. Ultimately, the Lochner ruling would stand until it was overturned in 1937, as attitudes towards government regulation shifted during the Great Depression and subsequent New Deal policies.